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Five players to watch in the third preseason game against the Broncos

Many of the Rams’ starters will likely sit once again heading into preseason game No. 3, which means several reserves will see lots of snaps.

With that in mind, here are five players to watch against Denver on Saturday.

1. OL JAMIL DEMBY

Jamil Demby is slated to back up Joe Noteboom at left guard based on the Rams' unofficial depth chart, but Los Angeles has experimented with playing him at different spots along the offensive line during the preseason. McVay said earlier this week that kind of positional versatility goes a long way in helping a player make the final 53-man roster, but his comments also suggested there’s more progress for Demby to be made. Demby’s reps against Denver make him one of the most important offensive linemen to watch.

2. LB BRYCE HAGER

Bryce Hager's primary contributions have come on special teams through his first four NFL seasons. After signing a one-year deal with the Rams this spring, he has the opportunity to compete for the starting MIKE linebacker job entering year five. Micah Kiser's indefinite absence due to injury sets up a bigger role for Hager, and while it remains to be seen how many snaps he’ll get against Denver, the third preseason game will give a first look at him in his new job.

The Rams return from Hawaii to practice in Thousand Oaks, Calif. ahead of the team's third preseason game against the Denver Broncos.

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3. DT SEBASTIAN JOSEPH-DAY

Considering Kiser's setback will not affect head coach Sean McVay’s approach to playing potential defensive starters the remainder of the preseason, Sebastian Joseph-Day should continue to see action against the Broncos. McVay used the words “comfortable” and “efficient” on Thursday to describe Joseph-Day’s progress to this point and mentioned wanting to continue to see productive performances from Joseph-Day the remainder of the preseason. Saturday will be an opportunity to build on those things.

4. WR NSIMBA WEBSTER

Signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in May, Nsimba Webster has proven to be a reliable option for L.A’s offense through the first two preseason games. Among Rams wide receivers who saw snaps against the Cowboys last weekend, he tied with Jalen Greene for most receptions (four) and added 38 receiving yards. Overall, he’s caught each of the seven targets thrown his way for 65 receiving yards across two games and successfully caught the attention of the Rams’ coaching staff. He’ll get another chance to show his playmaking abilities against the Broncos.

5. LB DAKOTA ALLEN

A seventh-round draft choice this year, Dakota Allen is making his case for a spot in the LB rotation. He posted a team-high eight total tackles while playing 58 percent of the defensive snaps against Dallas after logging four while playing 34 percent of the defensive snaps against Oakland. Hager is not the only one who will have a bigger opportunity before him in wake of Kiser’s injury, so be sure to keep an eye on Allen too on Saturday.